Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They could only reach it feebly with the hatchet, fraying it, but there was no chance for a free swing to sever the tough wood.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They had hewed easily through the great side roots, large as branches, covered with soft brown bark; they had dug down and cut through the forest of tender small roots below; but when they had passed the main body of the stump and worked under it, they found that their hole around the trunk was not large enough in diameter to enable them to reach to the taproot and cut through it.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading They had hewed easily through the great side roots, large as branches, covered with soft brown bark; they had dug down and cut through the forest of tender small roots below; but when they had passed the main body of the stump and worked under it, they found that their hole around the trunk was not large enough in diameter to enable them to reach to the taproot and cut through it.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They had hewed easily through the great side roots, large as branches, covered with soft brown bark; they had dug down and cut through the forest of tender small roots below; but when they had passed the main body of the stump and worked under it, they found that their hole around the trunk was not large enough in diameter to enable them to reach to the taproot and cut through it.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Instead of widening the hole at once, they kept laboring at the root, working the stump back and forth, as though they hoped to crystallize that stubborn taproot and snap it like a wire.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instead of widening the hole at once, they kept laboring at the root, working the stump back and forth, as though they hoped to crystallize that stubborn taproot and snap it like a wire.
baffled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the big central taproot which baffled them.
bark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had hewed easily through the great side roots, large as branches, covered with soft brown bark; they had dug down and cut through the forest of tender small roots below; but when they had passed the main body of the stump and worked under it, they found that their hole around the trunk was not large enough in diameter to enable them to reach to the taproot and cut through it.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading They had hewed easily through the great side roots, large as branches, covered with soft brown bark; they had dug down and cut through the forest of tender small roots below; but when they had passed the main body of the stump and worked under it, they found that their hole around the trunk was not large enough in diameter to enable them to reach to the taproot and cut through it.
big
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the big central taproot which baffled them.
bodynounUS /body/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They had hewed easily through the great side roots, large as branches, covered with soft brown bark; they had dug down and cut through the forest of tender small roots below; but when they had passed the main body of the stump and worked under it, they found that their hole around the trunk was not large enough in diameter to enable them to reach to the taproot and cut through it.
branches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had hewed easily through the great side roots, large as branches, covered with soft brown bark; they had dug down and cut through the forest of tender small roots below; but when they had passed the main body of the stump and worked under it, they found that their hole around the trunk was not large enough in diameter to enable them to reach to the taproot and cut through it.
brown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had hewed easily through the great side roots, large as branches, covered with soft brown bark; they had dug down and cut through the forest of tender small roots below; but when they had passed the main body of the stump and worked under it, they found that their hole around the trunk was not large enough in diameter to enable them to reach to the taproot and cut through it.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They had hewed easily through the great side roots, large as branches, covered with soft brown bark; they had dug down and cut through the forest of tender small roots below; but when they had passed the main body of the stump and worked under it, they found that their hole around the trunk was not large enough in diameter to enable them to reach to the taproot and cut through it.
central
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the big central taproot which baffled them.
chance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They could only reach it feebly with the hatchet, fraying it, but there was no chance for a free swing to sever the tough wood.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading They could only reach it feebly with the hatchet, fraying it, but there was no chance for a free swing to sever the tough wood.
covered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had hewed easily through the great side roots, large as branches, covered with soft brown bark; they had dug down and cut through the forest of tender small roots below; but when they had passed the main body of the stump and worked under it, they found that their hole around the trunk was not large enough in diameter to enable them to reach to the taproot and cut through it.
crystallize
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instead of widening the hole at once, they kept laboring at the root, working the stump back and forth, as though they hoped to crystallize that stubborn taproot and snap it like a wire.
cut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had hewed easily through the great side roots, large as branches, covered with soft brown bark; they had dug down and cut through the forest of tender small roots below; but when they had passed the main body of the stump and worked under it, they found that their hole around the trunk was not large enough in diameter to enable them to reach to the taproot and cut through it.
defied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still it held and defied them.
diameter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had hewed easily through the great side roots, large as branches, covered with soft brown bark; they had dug down and cut through the forest of tender small roots below; but when they had passed the main body of the stump and worked under it, they found that their hole around the trunk was not large enough in diameter to enable them to reach to the taproot and cut through it.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had hewed easily through the great side roots, large as branches, covered with soft brown bark; they had dug down and cut through the forest of tender small roots below; but when they had passed the main body of the stump and worked under it, they found that their hole around the trunk was not large enough in diameter to enable them to reach to the taproot and cut through it.
dug
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had hewed easily through the great side roots, large as branches, covered with soft brown bark; they had dug down and cut through the forest of tender small roots below; but when they had passed the main body of the stump and worked under it, they found that their hole around the trunk was not large enough in diameter to enable them to reach to the taproot and cut through it.
easily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had hewed easily through the great side roots, large as branches, covered with soft brown bark; they had dug down and cut through the forest of tender small roots below; but when they had passed the main body of the stump and worked under it, they found that their hole around the trunk was not large enough in diameter to enable them to reach to the taproot and cut through it.
enable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had hewed easily through the great side roots, large as branches, covered with soft brown bark; they had dug down and cut through the forest of tender small roots below; but when they had passed the main body of the stump and worked under it, they found that their hole around the trunk was not large enough in diameter to enable them to reach to the taproot and cut through it.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had hewed easily through the great side roots, large as branches, covered with soft brown bark; they had dug down and cut through the forest of tender small roots below; but when they had passed the main body of the stump and worked under it, they found that their hole around the trunk was not large enough in diameter to enable them to reach to the taproot and cut through it.
feebly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They could only reach it feebly with the hatchet, fraying it, but there was no chance for a free swing to sever the tough wood.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They could only reach it feebly with the hatchet, fraying it, but there was no chance for a free swing to sever the tough wood.
forest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had hewed easily through the great side roots, large as branches, covered with soft brown bark; they had dug down and cut through the forest of tender small roots below; but when they had passed the main body of the stump and worked under it, they found that their hole around the trunk was not large enough in diameter to enable them to reach to the taproot and cut through it.
forth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instead of widening the hole at once, they kept laboring at the root, working the stump back and forth, as though they hoped to crystallize that stubborn taproot and snap it like a wire.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They had hewed easily through the great side roots, large as branches, covered with soft brown bark; they had dug down and cut through the forest of tender small roots below; but when they had passed the main body of the stump and worked under it, they found that their hole around the trunk was not large enough in diameter to enable them to reach to the taproot and cut through it.
fraying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They could only reach it feebly with the hatchet, fraying it, but there was no chance for a free swing to sever the tough wood.
freeadjectiveUS /friː/
acting without enough restraint or discipline
From this reading They could only reach it feebly with the hatchet, fraying it, but there was no chance for a free swing to sever the tough wood.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They had hewed easily through the great side roots, large as branches, covered with soft brown bark; they had dug down and cut through the forest of tender small roots below; but when they had passed the main body of the stump and worked under it, they found that their hole around the trunk was not large enough in diameter to enable them to reach to the taproot and cut through it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They had hewed easily through the great side roots, large as branches, covered with soft brown bark; they had dug down and cut through the forest of tender small roots below; but when they had passed the main body of the stump and worked under it, they found that their hole around the trunk was not large enough in diameter to enable them to reach to the taproot and cut through it.
hatchet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They could only reach it feebly with the hatchet, fraying it, but there was no chance for a free swing to sever the tough wood.
held
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still it held and defied them.
hewed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had hewed easily through the great side roots, large as branches, covered with soft brown bark; they had dug down and cut through the forest of tender small roots below; but when they had passed the main body of the stump and worked under it, they found that their hole around the trunk was not large enough in diameter to enable them to reach to the taproot and cut through it.
hole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had hewed easily through the great side roots, large as branches, covered with soft brown bark; they had dug down and cut through the forest of tender small roots below; but when they had passed the main body of the stump and worked under it, they found that their hole around the trunk was not large enough in diameter to enable them to reach to the taproot and cut through it.
hoped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instead of widening the hole at once, they kept laboring at the root, working the stump back and forth, as though they hoped to crystallize that stubborn taproot and snap it like a wire.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They had hewed easily through the great side roots, large as branches, covered with soft brown bark; they had dug down and cut through the forest of tender small roots below; but when they had passed the main body of the stump and worked under it, they found that their hole around the trunk was not large enough in diameter to enable them to reach to the taproot and cut through it.
Instead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instead of widening the hole at once, they kept laboring at the root, working the stump back and forth, as though they hoped to crystallize that stubborn taproot and snap it like a wire.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the big central taproot which baffled them.
kept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instead of widening the hole at once, they kept laboring at the root, working the stump back and forth, as though they hoped to crystallize that stubborn taproot and snap it like a wire.
laboring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instead of widening the hole at once, they kept laboring at the root, working the stump back and forth, as though they hoped to crystallize that stubborn taproot and snap it like a wire.
large
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had hewed easily through the great side roots, large as branches, covered with soft brown bark; they had dug down and cut through the forest of tender small roots below; but when they had passed the main body of the stump and worked under it, they found that their hole around the trunk was not large enough in diameter to enable them to reach to the taproot and cut through it.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instead of widening the hole at once, they kept laboring at the root, working the stump back and forth, as though they hoped to crystallize that stubborn taproot and snap it like a wire.
main
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had hewed easily through the great side roots, large as branches, covered with soft brown bark; they had dug down and cut through the forest of tender small roots below; but when they had passed the main body of the stump and worked under it, they found that their hole around the trunk was not large enough in diameter to enable them to reach to the taproot and cut through it.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading They could only reach it feebly with the hatchet, fraying it, but there was no chance for a free swing to sever the tough wood.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They had hewed easily through the great side roots, large as branches, covered with soft brown bark; they had dug down and cut through the forest of tender small roots below; but when they had passed the main body of the stump and worked under it, they found that their hole around the trunk was not large enough in diameter to enable them to reach to the taproot and cut through it.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They had hewed easily through the great side roots, large as branches, covered with soft brown bark; they had dug down and cut through the forest of tender small roots below; but when they had passed the main body of the stump and worked under it, they found that their hole around the trunk was not large enough in diameter to enable them to reach to the taproot and cut through it.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instead of widening the hole at once, they kept laboring at the root, working the stump back and forth, as though they hoped to crystallize that stubborn taproot and snap it like a wire.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They could only reach it feebly with the hatchet, fraying it, but there was no chance for a free swing to sever the tough wood.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They had hewed easily through the great side roots, large as branches, covered with soft brown bark; they had dug down and cut through the forest of tender small roots below; but when they had passed the main body of the stump and worked under it, they found that their hole around the trunk was not large enough in diameter to enable them to reach to the taproot and cut through it.
reach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had hewed easily through the great side roots, large as branches, covered with soft brown bark; they had dug down and cut through the forest of tender small roots below; but when they had passed the main body of the stump and worked under it, they found that their hole around the trunk was not large enough in diameter to enable them to reach to the taproot and cut through it.
root
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instead of widening the hole at once, they kept laboring at the root, working the stump back and forth, as though they hoped to crystallize that stubborn taproot and snap it like a wire.
roots
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had hewed easily through the great side roots, large as branches, covered with soft brown bark; they had dug down and cut through the forest of tender small roots below; but when they had passed the main body of the stump and worked under it, they found that their hole around the trunk was not large enough in diameter to enable them to reach to the taproot and cut through it.
sever
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They could only reach it feebly with the hatchet, fraying it, but there was no chance for a free swing to sever the tough wood.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had hewed easily through the great side roots, large as branches, covered with soft brown bark; they had dug down and cut through the forest of tender small roots below; but when they had passed the main body of the stump and worked under it, they found that their hole around the trunk was not large enough in diameter to enable them to reach to the taproot and cut through it.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had hewed easily through the great side roots, large as branches, covered with soft brown bark; they had dug down and cut through the forest of tender small roots below; but when they had passed the main body of the stump and worked under it, they found that their hole around the trunk was not large enough in diameter to enable them to reach to the taproot and cut through it.
snap
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instead of widening the hole at once, they kept laboring at the root, working the stump back and forth, as though they hoped to crystallize that stubborn taproot and snap it like a wire.
soft
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had hewed easily through the great side roots, large as branches, covered with soft brown bark; they had dug down and cut through the forest of tender small roots below; but when they had passed the main body of the stump and worked under it, they found that their hole around the trunk was not large enough in diameter to enable them to reach to the taproot and cut through it.
StillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Still it held and defied them.
stubborn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instead of widening the hole at once, they kept laboring at the root, working the stump back and forth, as though they hoped to crystallize that stubborn taproot and snap it like a wire.
stump
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had hewed easily through the great side roots, large as branches, covered with soft brown bark; they had dug down and cut through the forest of tender small roots below; but when they had passed the main body of the stump and worked under it, they found that their hole around the trunk was not large enough in diameter to enable them to reach to the taproot and cut through it.
swing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They could only reach it feebly with the hatchet, fraying it, but there was no chance for a free swing to sever the tough wood.
taproot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the big central taproot which baffled them.
tender
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had hewed easily through the great side roots, large as branches, covered with soft brown bark; they had dug down and cut through the forest of tender small roots below; but when they had passed the main body of the stump and worked under it, they found that their hole around the trunk was not large enough in diameter to enable them to reach to the taproot and cut through it.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They had hewed easily through the great side roots, large as branches, covered with soft brown bark; they had dug down and cut through the forest of tender small roots below; but when they had passed the main body of the stump and worked under it, they found that their hole around the trunk was not large enough in diameter to enable them to reach to the taproot and cut through it.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was the big central taproot which baffled them.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They had hewed easily through the great side roots, large as branches, covered with soft brown bark; they had dug down and cut through the forest of tender small roots below; but when they had passed the main body of the stump and worked under it, they found that their hole around the trunk was not large enough in diameter to enable them to reach to the taproot and cut through it.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading It was the big central taproot which baffled them.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They could only reach it feebly with the hatchet, fraying it, but there was no chance for a free swing to sever the tough wood.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had hewed easily through the great side roots, large as branches, covered with soft brown bark; they had dug down and cut through the forest of tender small roots below; but when they had passed the main body of the stump and worked under it, they found that their hole around the trunk was not large enough in diameter to enable them to reach to the taproot and cut through it.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Instead of widening the hole at once, they kept laboring at the root, working the stump back and forth, as though they hoped to crystallize that stubborn taproot and snap it like a wire.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading They had hewed easily through the great side roots, large as branches, covered with soft brown bark; they had dug down and cut through the forest of tender small roots below; but when they had passed the main body of the stump and worked under it, they found that their hole around the trunk was not large enough in diameter to enable them to reach to the taproot and cut through it.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They had hewed easily through the great side roots, large as branches, covered with soft brown bark; they had dug down and cut through the forest of tender small roots below; but when they had passed the main body of the stump and worked under it, they found that their hole around the trunk was not large enough in diameter to enable them to reach to the taproot and cut through it.
tough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They could only reach it feebly with the hatchet, fraying it, but there was no chance for a free swing to sever the tough wood.
trunk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had hewed easily through the great side roots, large as branches, covered with soft brown bark; they had dug down and cut through the forest of tender small roots below; but when they had passed the main body of the stump and worked under it, they found that their hole around the trunk was not large enough in diameter to enable them to reach to the taproot and cut through it.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading They had hewed easily through the great side roots, large as branches, covered with soft brown bark; they had dug down and cut through the forest of tender small roots below; but when they had passed the main body of the stump and worked under it, they found that their hole around the trunk was not large enough in diameter to enable them to reach to the taproot and cut through it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was the big central taproot which baffled them.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading They had hewed easily through the great side roots, large as branches, covered with soft brown bark; they had dug down and cut through the forest of tender small roots below; but when they had passed the main body of the stump and worked under it, they found that their hole around the trunk was not large enough in diameter to enable them to reach to the taproot and cut through it.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was the big central taproot which baffled them.
widening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instead of widening the hole at once, they kept laboring at the root, working the stump back and forth, as though they hoped to crystallize that stubborn taproot and snap it like a wire.
wire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instead of widening the hole at once, they kept laboring at the root, working the stump back and forth, as though they hoped to crystallize that stubborn taproot and snap it like a wire.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading They had hewed easily through the great side roots, large as branches, covered with soft brown bark; they had dug down and cut through the forest of tender small roots below; but when they had passed the main body of the stump and worked under it, they found that their hole around the trunk was not large enough in diameter to enable them to reach to the taproot and cut through it.
wood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They could only reach it feebly with the hatchet, fraying it, but there was no chance for a free swing to sever the tough wood.
worked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had hewed easily through the great side roots, large as branches, covered with soft brown bark; they had dug down and cut through the forest of tender small roots below; but when they had passed the main body of the stump and worked under it, they found that their hole around the trunk was not large enough in diameter to enable them to reach to the taproot and cut through it.
working
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instead of widening the hole at once, they kept laboring at the root, working the stump back and forth, as though they hoped to crystallize that stubborn taproot and snap it like a wire.
